Safety means for bathtubs



March 29, 1949. v. R. O'BRIEN SAFETY MEANS FOR BATHIUBS Fileql Dec. s. 1943 and 2.

- ensures Mar. 29, 19 9 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SAFETY MEANS FOR BATH'I'U'BS Vincent R. O'Brien, St. Paul, Minn.

Application December 8, 1913. Serial No. 512.802

' 1 My invention relate to safety means for bathtubs and shower bath, wherein it is desirable to provide a. safety means to prevent a person's surplus onthe floor of the tub or the shower stall. -A feature resides in providing a handle which mounted upon the faucet so that it may swing backontothe neck of the faucet where the hnndlolsoutofthewaywhenitlsnotdesiredfor use. Inusingthebathtwiitissometlmes diiilcult for the person therein to raise himself out of the tub. By providing my safety means, which I includes the handle associated with the water iaueet, together with a met or means held on the floor of'the tub or olthe shower stall such as a spon e rubber met or other similar non-skid mesnswhichis adapted tobe held in aflxed relation to the druin'outlet oi the stall or tub, the bother is protected against slipping or falling y when will: to get out of the bathtub.

Furtlienthe invention includes a socket means associated Iyith the drain outlet which is adapted toengagetheendoftherodwhichrodissnohored inthe body of the anti-skid mat which normally lies upon the floor of the tub when it is in use.

In the drawings forming a part of the specification:

Figure 1 is a side sectional elevation of the I bath tub showing my safety means in operative position associated therewith.

Fisute 2 illustrates a form of faucet and foldsble handle used in my safety means as illustreted in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the faucet illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 showing the handle folded the faucet C. a handle 10 is pivoted at H to the forward end of the neckl! of the isucet '0. The handle ll is-shsped to fit over the neck not the faucetcosillustratedinnnlllnesonh'lgmes 1 When thehnndle i is desiredfor use, it is lifted in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 2 to a ire-determined point, whereupon the bifurcated end which is pivoted at H will bear ugalnstthe shoulders l8 oneltherside oftheneck -of the faucet so as to limit the outer movement of the handle it. These shoulders I! are illustrutedinFlBm'es2and8.

Theiaucetcmoybei'ormedwithahook Mon 2 Claims. (cu-easy 2 the outer end of th esame so'that if it is desired. a foot rest or met limes be hung when it is not in use.

Thus, with my invention 1 provide a handle supporting means toassist it bother in getting into or out of a bathtub which supplies a. long felt need as many accidents occur as a. result of slipping while using a bathtub. The handle 10 is so formed thntit is out 01 the was" when not in use and inconspicuous because of its conformity with the shape of the faucet. While I have shown myhandlemeanslnadefiniteiormrdonotwish to be confined to that specified form but within the scope or the following claims.

I claim:

1. A safety means for bathtub in combination with the neck of the water faucet, including a. handle pivotally attaehed to the sides of the neck. of the telnet, the body. oi said handle being formed concsved to fit over the neck of the faucet, and shoulder means for holdin said handle in an upright outwardly proiecting position for easy engagement by the bother to lift himself out-of the tub, said handle fitting over and in close proximity to the neck of the faucet when not in 2. A safety means for bathtub in combination with the neck of the water faucet including a handle pivotslly attached to the sides of the neck of the faucet, the body of said handle being formed concave to flt over the neck of the faucet, the handle being movable into engaging position whereby a. b'ether may engage sald'handle for assistance in getting into or out of a bathtub.

VINCENT R. O'BRIEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date D. 82,857 Steele Dec. 10, 1930 1,405,222 Johnson Jan. 81, 1922 1,602,240 Miller Oct. 5, 1926 1,702,035 Hasalone Feb. 19, 1929 1,827,575 Germershsusen Oct. 13, 1931 2,025,814 Goes Dec. 81, 1.935 2,056,620 Mervin Sept. 29, 1936 2,059,171 Harris Oct. 27, 1936 2,120,179 Heokert June '1, 1038 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country ate 48 L446 Great Britain May 5, 1938 

